Pre-wedding shoots abroad: where to go and when

Updated 17 October 2026

A shoot abroad is the trip of a lifetime for most couples, so the photos have to be worth it. Every one of these places has one hour of the day when it looks its best and is nearly empty. Plan the shoot around that hour, not the other way round.

Cappadocia, Turkey: the balloons

On calm mornings, more than a hundred hot-air balloons lift off over the valleys at sunrise. Photographers shoot from hotel rooftops or the valley rim with the balloons behind the couple.

Flights are cancelled on windy days, so keep a spare morning in your plan. Flowing gowns and long dupattas move beautifully in the dawn breeze.

Red gown, a sky of balloons: a couple photographed at Hot-air balloons, Turkey — Red gown, a sky of balloonsHot-air balloons, Turkey

On the convertible at sunrise: a couple photographed at Hot-air balloons, Turkey — On the convertible at sunriseHot-air balloons, Turkey

Rooftop at sunrise: a couple photographed at Hot-air balloons, Turkey — Rooftop at sunriseHot-air balloons, Turkey

A twirl above the valley: a couple photographed at Hot-air balloons, Turkey — A twirl above the valleyHot-air balloons, Turkey

Paris: the Eiffel Tower

The classic view is from the Trocadéro terrace across the Seine; go at sunrise, when it is nearly empty. The iron columns of the Bir-Hakeim bridge frame the tower for a more cinematic photo, and the riverside walks give you candid shots.

Paris suits coats, gowns and suits more than lehengas, especially from October to April.

Holding each other close: a couple photographed at Trocadéro, Paris — Holding each other closeTrocadéro, Paris

Walking hand in hand: a couple photographed at The Seine, Paris — Walking hand in handThe Seine, Paris

Holding her close: a couple photographed at Bir-Hakeim bridge, Paris — Holding her closeBir-Hakeim bridge, Paris

Holding hands in Paris: a couple photographed at Trocadéro, Paris — Holding hands in ParisTrocadéro, Paris

The Maldives: lagoons and jetties

Wooden jetties over turquoise water and white-sand beaches. Shoot in the first hour after sunrise, before the light turns hard and the sand gets too bright.

Resorts have their own rules about photographers on their jetties, so check before you book one. Light fabrics in pastels, white or coral look best against the water.

Standing by the water: a couple photographed at Overwater jetty, Maldives — Standing by the waterOverwater jetty, Maldives

Close on the beach: a couple photographed at White-sand beach, Maldives — Close on the beachWhite-sand beach, Maldives

Walking hand in hand: a couple photographed at White-sand beach, Maldives — Walking hand in handWhite-sand beach, Maldives

On one knee by the lagoon: a couple photographed at White-sand beach, Maldives — On one knee by the lagoonWhite-sand beach, Maldives

Bali: cliffs and jungle swings

Kelingking on Nusa Penida is the famous dinosaur-shaped headland. Shoot from the viewpoint at the top: the path down is steep and not worth the risk in shoot clothes.

Around Ubud, giant woven nests and swings hang over the jungle. Go early, before the queues.

Sitting on the cliff: a couple photographed at Kelingking Beach, Bali — Sitting on the cliffKelingking Beach, Bali

Laughing above the jungle: a couple photographed at The jungle swings, Bali — Laughing above the jungleThe jungle swings, Bali

Laughing in the swing: a couple photographed at The jungle swings, Bali — Laughing in the swingThe jungle swings, Bali

Switzerland: alpine lakes and meadows

Glacier lakes the colour of turquoise and meadows of daisies below snowy cliffs, from June to September. Mornings give the stillest water and the best reflections.

It is cold even in summer at the lakes, so plan layers: a long coat over a dress, or a sweater over a shirt.

Walking by the lake: a couple photographed at An alpine lake, Switzerland — Walking by the lakeAn alpine lake, Switzerland

Hug by the lake: a couple photographed at An alpine lake, Switzerland — Hug by the lakeAn alpine lake, Switzerland

Cuddling by the lake: a couple photographed at An alpine lake, Switzerland — Cuddling by the lakeAn alpine lake, Switzerland

Try these shots with the two of you

Tap + on the shots you love above, add a few photos of the two of you, and we'll make them yours.

Create our photos